City of Sacramento Police Department

MEDIA ADVISORY/NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release No. 20110412-058Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Got Drugs?

The Sacramento Police Department is participating in the National Pill Take Back Initiative.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. More than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs, according to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration's National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

In an effort to address this problem, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, in conjunction with state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, will be conducting the second annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. The purpose of this National Take Back Day is to provide a venue for persons who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs. Last year, the campaign was a huge success in removing potentially dangerous prescription drugs, particularly controlled substances, from our nation's medicine cabinets. Approximately 3,000 state and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation participated in the event. At the end of the campaign, the American Public turned in more than 121 tons of pills on the first National Take Back Day.

This is a great opportunity for those who have accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of them, with no questions asked.